The ASO (Australian Society of Orthodontics) recommends an orthodontic assessment by age 8, and a referral is not required.

Early examination allows your orthodontist to plan treatment carefully and ensure efficient results while minimizing treatment time and financial expense. In many patients, early treatment obtains a result that would not be possible once the jaw and face have finished growing.

For some cases, however, early treatment is not indicated. In these instances, we usually review the patient periodically every 6-12 months and monitor their growth and development. Comprehensive treatment, using full fixed braces or Invisalign clear aligners, may be recommended at a later date, and we do not charge for these periodical reviews.

Our waiting area is child-friendly, with toys and books suitable for toddlers to teens and a varied magazine rack for adults to catch up on their reading. There is also a dedicated ‘brushing bay’ equipped with toothbrushes and paste, so that you can brush once you have arrived for your appointment.

What will happen at your child’s orthodontic appointment?

• When you first come in, we will ask you to fill out some forms and provide any relevant medical history. If you will not be accompanying your child to the appointment, please notify our staff prior to coming in and we can take a medical history over the phone.

• You will then be seen by one of our Specialist Orthodontists, Dr Christine Underhill or Dr Medy Liong, in our modern and comfortable clinic. They’ll have a look at your dentition, take some measurements, and begin to give you an idea of what treatment may be required, if any.

• Thanks to technology, we no longer need to take uncomfortable impressions and can use a 3D scanner to develop a model of your teeth. If any appliances are required, this model can be used to create customized plates and expanders.

• If orthodontic treatment is not indicated, we will continue to monitor growth as your child enters adolescence and develops their adult teeth.